I Muse... On a Stunning Collection

A couple of weeks ago a fellow Slania collector by the name of Colin contacted me through my blog. After a bit of chatting with him via email, he kindly offered the use of some scanned images of a few pieces from his collection to share on the blog. I gladly accepted the offer! Then when I received the email and opened the attachments I was blown away by the beauty of these engraved works of art. I couldn't wait to share them here. So without further ado, I present to you just a snippet of Colin's beautiful collection of Slania engravings. 

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First up is an engraving from 1995. The subject is Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden, on her 18th birthday, issued by Swedish Post Office. The plate size is 114 x 144 mm.

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Next we have a signed print of "Centralposthuset" (Stockholm Central Post Office). This lovely engraving was printed in 1996. Only limited number of copies - around 500 - were printed. The size of this engraving is 180 x 150 mm.

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This next engraving is truly incredible in its detail. It depicts a rugged Swedish Coast with surf breaking against rocks. This engraving a part of a set of five by five engravers, sold by the Swedish Post to domestic customers only. It measures 100 x 67 mm..

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Next up is an engraving produced for the 50th anniversary of the Old Wooden Post Office in Dalarna, called Talberg. This building is used as retirement apartments for Swedish postal employees. 300 copies were given to residents, while some others were sold to to the public. This particular piece has no date, but it is probably 1992. This engraving measures 118 x 117 mm.. 

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Lastly we have a progress proof of an engraving Slania produced in 2001 for his 80th birthday. Plate size 203 x 153 mm.

These pieces are just fabulous! I'd like to thank Colin again for allowing me to share them here. Hope you enjoyed the eye candy.

Until next time...

Faroe Islands 1984 - Famous Writers (Part 3)

A talented writer of poems, fairytales, songs, and even a novel, Hans Andrias Djurhuus was born 20 October 1883 in Tórshavn, Faroe Islands. Hans was the young brother of Janus Djurhuus, the subject of last week's blog post (click HERE).

Han's first job after completing his schooling was working as a fisherman. But fishing was just not in his blood. He hung up the fishing rod and returned to furthering his studies. He attended Føroya Fólkaháskúli, then studied at the Teachers Seminar (Føroya Læraraskúli). After graduating in 1905, he started working as a teacher. This vocation seemed to suit him well. During his years as a teacher he wrote many children's songs, a bunch of plays, short stories, psalms, and even a novel. But poetry was his primary passion. In fact, his great grandfather, Jens Christian Djurhuus (1773–1853), was the first to write poems in the Faroese language. Poetry was in the family's blood. And Hans went on to be considered one of the most productive Faroese poets in the long history of the islands. Very imprressive! 

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On 28 May 1984, Faroe Islands issued a set of four stamps honouring great Faroese writers. This set was engraved by Czeslaw Slania. One of the stamps in this set features Hans Andrias Djurhuus. This stamp - like last week's stamp - exhibits a photo-realistic style synonymous with the engraving genius of Slania. Although, as I mentioned in my previous two blogs dealing with this set of stamps, I tend to prefer more interpretive styles of engraving over photo-realism. There is no denying, however, that they are truly stunning! It's now time to take a look-see at the final stamp of the Famous Writers set, that featuring Hans Andrias Djurhuus.

Until next time...

Faroe Islands 1984 - Famous Writers (Part 2)

Hailed as  "the first Faroese writer of genius" and "without a doubt a great poet", Janus Djurhuus was born 26 February 1881 in Tórshavn, Faroe islands. Janus and his younger brother Hans, who was also a poet, grew up listening to and being inspired by great Faroese poetry such as Jóannes Patursson's Nú er tann stundin komin til handa (Now is the hour come for acting). You may remember this name from my blog post last week. If not click HERE.

Interestingly, Janus Djurhuus was a lawyer, a profession seemingly at odds with the free-thinking nature of a poet, but there you have it. His first poem, Blíð er summarnátt á Føroya landi was published in 1901 while he was studying at University in Denmark. He completed his studies in 1911 and began practicing law in Copenhagen, where he continued to work for over twenty-five years before returning to the Faroe Islands to practice there. 

In 1914 Janus had a collection of his poems published. This was the first ever collection of poems in the Faroese language written by one author. He went on to publish four further collections of poetry. He was also passionate about Classical Greek literature. He translated and had published many of the Greek greats such as Homer, Plato, and the poet Sappho into the Faroese language.

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On 28 May 1984, Faroe Islands issued a set of four stamps honouring great Faroese writers. This set was engraved by Czeslaw Slania. One of the stamps in this set features Janus Djurhuus. This stamp - like last week's stamps - exhibits a photo-realistic style synonymous with the engraving genius of Slania. Although to be perfectly honest I tend to prefer more interpretive styles of engraving over photo-realism. Not that I dislike these stamps, mind you! They are truly stunning! Let's take a look-see at the Janus Djurhuus stamp.

Next week we'll take a look at the final stamp in this set, so as they say on TV "stay tuned!"

Until next time...

Faroe Islands 1984 - Famous Writers (Part 1)

Each and every evening they gathered. They gathered by the light of a flickering fire at the old farmhouse of Kirkjubøur to enrich their souls and feed their spirits. To listen to folktales, and to sing and dance. These nightly gatherings were known to local Faroese people as Kvøldseta. This is the environment in which the brothers Jóannes and Sverri Patursson grew up. An environment which perhaps awakened their creative imaginations, leading them both to become writers and activists for their homeland: one a poet and nationalist leader; the other a literary writer and freelance journalist.

On 28 May 1984, Faroe Islands issued a set of four stamps honouring great Faroese writers. This set was engraved by Czeslaw Slania. Two of the stamps in this set feature the brothers Jóannes and Sverri Patursson. Both stamps exhibit a photo-realistic style synonymous with the engraving genius of Slania. Although to be perfectly honest I tend to prefer more interpretive styles of engraving over photo-realism. Not that I dislike these stamps, mind you! They are truly stunning! Let's take a look-see...

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The 200kr stamp features Sverri Patursson. Born in 1871, Sverri was a literary writer, and a composer of tourist articles highlighting the wonders of his homeland. He also worked translating literature into the Faroese language. In fact, he was one of the very first authors to write in the Faroese language.

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The 250kr stamp features Jóannes Patursson. Born 6 May 1866, Jóannes Patursson was a Faroe nationalist who fought to retain traditional Faroese culture and language. He was also an accomplished poet. He even managed to combine his two passions by composing a battle hymn  called Nú er tann stundin komin til handa (Now is the hour come for acting). This was a symbol for the struggle of the Faroese language and culture in a changing world.

Until next time...